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I. INTRODUCTION 



Good morning. My name is Byron Mallott and I am the Chief 

 Executive Officer of Sealaska Corporation. On behalf of 

 Sealaska, I would like to express our appreciation to the Senate 

 Energy Committee and this Subcommittee for inviting us to testify 

 today. As a preliminary matter, we would like to note that the 

 debate process surrounding the Tongass Reform Legislation has 

 been a difficult but often rewarding experience. We would like 

 to thank the Southeast Conference of Mayors for their comrage and 

 contribution in the debate on the Tongass. They have taken far- 

 sighted, and sometimes politically unpopular, positions in 

 framing their position on Tongass Management. Sealaska supports 

 many of their positions and encourages the Subcommittee to 

 seriously consider their recommendations. 



We also want to thank the Governor's office for its diligent 

 work with the many interested parties in this process and for its 

 efforts in crafting workable compromises. 



II. STATEMENT 



It is appropriate that Sealaska Corporation participate in 

 the Tongass debate. We bring a unique perspective to the issues 

 arising from the Tongass debate. Our congressionally established 

 boundaries encompass the entire Tongass National Forest. 

 Sealaska shareholders also are shareholders in 12 urban and 

 village corporations in Southeast. Virtually every community in 

 the Tongass counts among its residents descendants of the first 



